Combined mail box and bottle holder



March 29 1927. 1,622,412

P. BRANDOFINE COMBi'NED MAIL BOX AND BOTTLE HOLDER Filed May 17, 1926 Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES PAUL BRANDOFINE, OF PORT RICHMON' D, NEW YORK.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND BOTTLE HOLDER.

Application filed May 17,

This invention relates to combined mail boxes and bottle holders and more particularly to. a novel form of bottle holding means.

An important object of the invention is to provide a holding means especially adapted for use in connection with milk bottles whereby the bottle may be placed in the holder upon delivery to prevent unauthorized removal thereof.

A further object is to provide a bottle holder of the above mentioned character adapted to contain mail.

A further object is to provide a pair of outwardly movable bottle engaging members arranged within a suitable box and adapted to surround the neck of a milk bottle to engage the lip of the bottle in such a manner that any attempt to remove the bottle'by moving it downwardly will cause the engaging members to tightly grip or clamp about the neck of the bottle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a face view,

Figure 2 is a side elevation,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, parts being shown in elevation, and,

Figure 4 is a detailed section on line 44 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings the numeral designates a suitable box having a front wall 11 provided near its upper end with a mail slot normally closed by a cover 12 which is preferably hinged to the box as at 13. The box is closed by a top 14 which preferably slop-es, as shown, and is further provided with side walls 15 and a bottom 16.

Referring to Figure 3, the numeral 17 designates a pair of complementary bottle engaging members which are arcuate in 1926. Serial No. 109,752.

shape and tapered to decrease in diameter toward their upper ends as shown in F igures 3 and 4c. The bottom 16 is provided with an opening 18 beneath the engaging members 17 and arranged concentrictherewith. Hinges 19 are provided for connectmg the engaging members to the bottom 16 of the box to permit them to swing outwardly as suggested in dotted lines in Figure 3. The members 17 are adapted to surround the neck of a milk bottle or similar container 20 having a. bead or similar enlargement 21 at its upper end.

Connecting members or eyes 22 are connected to the engaging members and may be secured thereto in any suitable manner. A pair of operating links 23 are pivotally connected at their lower ends with the eyes 21 by pivot pins 24. The upper ends of the links 23 are provided with eyes 25 which surround a pivot pin 26. This pin also engages within an eye 27 carried by the lower end of a plunger 28. 7

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the numeral 29 designates a bracket having rear out Wardly turned portions 30 riveted or otherwise secured to the back of the box as at 31. The bracket 29 is preferably formed of sheet metal and extends outwardly a substantial distance from the rear wall of the box, the outer end of the bracket being bent to pro vide a bearing 32. The plunger 28 extends through the bearing and is supported thereby for reciprocation, as will be apparent. A washer 33 surrounds the plunger 28 and contacts with the outer end ofthe bearing 32. A nut 34 is threaded on the upper end of the plunger 28, and a spring of the compression type surrounds the plunger between the washer 33 and nut 34.

Access is provided to the interior of the box 10 to permit the releasing oi the engaging member 17 whereby the bottle may be removed. As shown, the front of the box is provided with a relatively large opening 36 which is normally closed by a door 37 hinged to the box as at 38. Any suitable form of lock 39 may be provided for the door to be opened with a suitable key.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The bottle is placed substantially in the dotted line position indicated in Figure 3 and is moved upwardly to introduce the upper end of the bottle through the opening 18 and between the engaging members 17. The head 21 is adapted to be engaged by the upper ends of the engagingmembers 17, the upper ends of these members being arranged inwardly of the pivots of the hinges whereby any attempt to remove the bottle by moving it downwardly will tend to swing the en gaging members inwardly to clamp them tightly about the bottle to prevent removal thereof. The fact that the llOX'lS entirely closed above the top of the bottle affords ample protection to the upper end of the bottle and consequently the contents thereof. Thus it willbe apparent that the upper end of the bottleis protected from dust, bacteria and the like, and the stopper is protected .trom animals. lV-hen it is desired to remove the bottle from the holder, a suitable key is used for unlocking the door 36 to provide access to the operating mechanism of the device. The nutS may be depressed bythe lingero f the operator against the tension of the-spring 35, and this'movement is transmitted to the operating elements 17 through the connecting members and links 23, whereby it willbe obvious that the engaging members are moved out ardlyto pern-iit removal of the bottle from the lower end of the box. The upward movement o't the bottle when inserting it into the holder accomplishes substantially the same mechanical action, outward movementof the engaging elements being accomplished against tbetension of the spring 35.

Itwillbe apparent that mail maybe inserted into the box by lifting the cover 12, and letters and the like are adapted to be supported within the box bythe bracketfit). The mail. in the box also may beremoved by opening the door 37 aswill be obvious.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be talrenas a preferred example of the,

same and that variouschanges in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjolned claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a pair of coaotingcngaging mem- 2. A device of the character described comprising a pair of complementary arcu- ,ately shaped engaging members plvotally supported at their lower ends, the upper ends of said members being arranged closer together than the lower ends and being adapted to engage a bottle, a reciprocating operating plunger movable in one direction to release said engaging members, and resilientmeans normally urging-said members to engaging positionp A device'constructed in accordance with claim 2 provided with a box enclosing said me1nbers,-said operating plunger and said resilient means, said be}; i being provided with a bottom wallto which said members are pivotally connected, said bottom wall being provided with an opening; arranged beneath said members centrally thereof.

4. A; device of the character described comprising a box havin a lower wall pro-,

vided with an opening tor the reiception'of the upper end of a bottle, a pair of engaging members arranged-in said box and pivotally rom'lected at their lower ends to the lower wall of said box at opposite sides of said opening the upper ends of saidmembers beingadapted to engage the bottle, a bearingcarried by s'aidbox, a plunger in said bearing movable in one direction to release said members, and aspiring associated with said plunger and adapted to urge said members to engagingposition.

5. A device of the character described comprising-abox having side walls, a top, and a lower-wall provided withan opening for the reception of the upper end of a bottle, a pair of arcuately shaped coaoting engaging members arranged in said box and pivotally connected at their lower ends to the lower wall of said box on opposite sides of said opening, theupper ends of said ongaging members being adapted to engage the upper end of the bottlea bracket secured to the rear wall of said box and projecting a substantial distance therefrom, a bearing carried by said bracket, a plunger mounted in said bearing and projecting from opposite ends thereof, linlr means connecting the lower end of said plunger to said engaging members, and a compression spring surrounding said plunger above said bearing and adapted to normally coact with said plunger to move said members to engaging position.

In testi nonywhereo't I afiix my signature.

PAUL BRANDOFINE. 

